For 1L (specifically fall semester), how often will we need to dress formally or "extra" formally (like a suit and tie sort of thing)? On a related note, how many slacks/collared shirts do we need (for guys obviously)? I know it'll depend on how many events one chooses to attend, but is there a general amount?

lakers24fan wrote:For 1L (specifically fall semester), how often will we need to dress formally or "extra" formally (like a suit and tie sort of thing)? On a related note, how many slacks/collared shirts do we need (for guys obviously)? I know it'll depend on how many events one chooses to attend, but is there a general amount?

There are some firm events or other similar events. Maybe 4-5 times fall semester if you attend these things? You should probably roll into 1L with a suit and a few pairs of slacks/dress shirts. No need to get an entire wardrobe though.

lakers24fan wrote:For 1L (specifically fall semester), how often will we need to dress formally or "extra" formally (like a suit and tie sort of thing)? On a related note, how many slacks/collared shirts do we need (for guys obviously)? I know it'll depend on how many events one chooses to attend, but is there a general amount?

There are some firm events or other similar events. Maybe 4-5 times fall semester if you attend these things? You should probably roll into 1L with a suit and a few pairs of slacks/dress shirts. No need to get an entire wardrobe though.

Shockingly poor information. You are going to America's, nay, the world's pre-eminent institution of legal learning. Expect to be judged by your peers on your wardrobe, and to judge them in return, if you have an ounce of self respect. I remember my first 1L class with Professor Suk - always on Boston's best dressed list - and how some ignorant she-cow wore clashing prints the first day. "Get the hell out of my class," without batting an eye. Get the hell out indeed.

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Jk. There should actually be a tumblr of how scruffy Harvard 1L's look by fall exams. The beards, the pajama bottoms, the dirty Penn sweatshirts people, mere weeks before, had promised themselves they wouldn't wear out of the house. All in good fun though. And wait til winter term, not a single fuck given there, let me assure you. To your question, one suit should do fine; many of the firm things are biz cas and so a suit and a couple of decent shirts and pants will do the job.

lakers24fan wrote:For 1L (specifically fall semester), how often will we need to dress formally or "extra" formally (like a suit and tie sort of thing)? On a related note, how many slacks/collared shirts do we need (for guys obviously)? I know it'll depend on how many events one chooses to attend, but is there a general amount?

To answer this question for the ladies, have a suit ready to go for job purposes, some nice things you could wear to receptions (think Ann Taylor's nicer stuff), and stuff you'd wear to law school formals in case you feel like going. You probably won't really need these more than once or twice fall semester, and some people tend to gain weight so I would keep that in mind.

lakers24fan wrote:For 1L (specifically fall semester), how often will we need to dress formally or "extra" formally (like a suit and tie sort of thing)? On a related note, how many slacks/collared shirts do we need (for guys obviously)? I know it'll depend on how many events one chooses to attend, but is there a general amount?

To answer this question for the ladies, have a suit ready to go for job purposes, some nice things you could wear to receptions (think Ann Taylor's nicer stuff), and stuff you'd wear to law school formals in case you feel like going. You probably won't really need these more than once or twice fall semester, and some people tend to gain weight so I would keep that in mind.

I'm sure a form of this question has been asked once every 6.5 pages of this thread - however...

For 1L classes..what are your opinions regarding the necessity of books. This is with the assumption that if I didn't own the book and had trouble with certain material of a certain subject, I would be going out of my way to find supplemental written material and/or understanding of the subject

I understand the following:

this varies by professorthis varies by people's preferences towards books/lectures/learning stylesthis varies by your aptitude toward the subjectthis varies by the type of exam you might be having

If you could do 1L over again... for which classes/professor would you have chosen NOT to purchase the book for and why?

In what scenarios, that my puny mind cannot fathom, would a book be beneficial?

1. Do any of the tax professors teach any of the broader philosophical and/or policy questions in Taxation, or are all of the sections simply lectures about the current structure of the federal tax code?

2. Do any of the tax professors let their students write a paper in lieu of the exam?

Feel free to PM me if anyone has info on either and doesn't want to broadcast it.

What? Buy all your required 1L books. You will need all of them. Just double-check with the syllabus -- sometimes a prof will list a suggested / recommended supplement but not require it. Those may turn up on the bookstore's list, but it's your call -- I wait on those, then see whether similar-thinking friends are using the supplement and finding it helpful. If so I might buy them during the semester or for exam prep.

Searchparty wrote:I'm sure a form of this question has been asked once every 6.5 pages of this thread - however...

For 1L classes..what are your opinions regarding the necessity of books. This is with the assumption that if I didn't own the book and had trouble with certain material of a certain subject, I would be going out of my way to find supplemental written material and/or understanding of the subject

I understand the following:

this varies by professorthis varies by people's preferences towards books/lectures/learning stylesthis varies by your aptitude toward the subjectthis varies by the type of exam you might be having

If you could do 1L over again... for which classes/professor would you have chosen NOT to purchase the book for and why?

In what scenarios, that my puny mind cannot fathom, would a book be beneficial?

As a 2L who didn't buy most of my books 2L year, I highly recommend you buy all your books for 1L year. 2L is the time for experimenting with whether you can swing an H without buying the book or showing up, not 1L.

1. Do any of the tax professors teach any of the broader philosophical and/or policy questions in Taxation, or are all of the sections simply lectures about the current structure of the federal tax code?

2. Do any of the tax professors let their students write a paper in lieu of the exam?

Feel free to PM me if anyone has info on either and doesn't want to broadcast it.

This is the best section lineup of the ones posted thus far. Freeman is great, and she'll bring a bunch of practical experience into LegReg. Fried knows everything. For those of a philosophical bent, his Contracts class will be very interesting, but he's not too out there. I have no idea how he is as a professor, but don't sleep on Klerman just because he's visiting. His scholarship is top notch.

1. Do any of the tax professors teach any of the broader philosophical and/or policy questions in Taxation, or are all of the sections simply lectures about the current structure of the federal tax code?

2. Do any of the tax professors let their students write a paper in lieu of the exam?

Feel free to PM me if anyone has info on either and doesn't want to broadcast it.

Also interested in this.

I don't actually know anything first-hand about this, but second-hand, Alvin Warren is reputed to be the best Tax prof at the school for more or less this exact reason. (EDIT: By which I mean #1, policy issues, by the way.)

Doorkeeper wrote:

cayennepepper wrote:Any thoughts/insights on the following (good professors, work load etc.)? Thanks in advance!

This is the best section lineup of the ones posted thus far. Freeman is great, and she'll bring a bunch of practical experience into LegReg. Fried knows everything. For those of a philosophical bent, his Contracts class will be very interesting, but he's not too out there. I have no idea how he is as a professor, but don't sleep on Klerman just because he's visiting. His scholarship is top notch.

Just seconding that this is a pretty kickass lineup. Freeman is an environmental lawyer that everybody who likes environmental law loves. Lanni does Ancient Greek law, among other things, but I don't think any of us successfully got her to talk about it in Crim class. As a prof, she's remarkably clear and straightforward. Hanson is deep into "law and mind sciences," so expect not a lot of black-letter stuff and more about left-leaning psychological interpretations of the law. Fried has a tremendously interesting biography; I have no idea what he's like as a prof, but if he's half as interesting to listen to as he is to hear about, he's got to be pretty good.

The four people I mentioned should have really good outlines available in the usual places, too, which may be handy. I know my Lanni outline is out in the ether somewhere.

Last edited by tomwatts on Sat Aug 10, 2013 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.

Oh fuck. I think this is an even better line up than the other section. Every professor here is quality, minus Gertner who is horrible. Be prepared to teach yourself Criminal law. Tushnet teaches a much more theoretical LegReg than the other profs and students are very divided on him. Don't spurn him just because his LegReg is difficult and weird. Rakoff is great.

Also, Bert Huang is a motherfucking badass. He's visiting from Columbia, but I bet Harvard is going to give him an offer.

tomwatts wrote:

Doorkeeper wrote:Random questions:

1. Do any of the tax professors teach any of the broader philosophical and/or policy questions in Taxation, or are all of the sections simply lectures about the current structure of the federal tax code?

2. Do any of the tax professors let their students write a paper in lieu of the exam?

Feel free to PM me if anyone has info on either and doesn't want to broadcast it.

I don't actually know anything first-hand about this, but second-hand, Alvin Warren is reputed to be the best Tax prof at the school for more or less this exact reason.

Damn. I was afraid of this. There's no way in hell that I'm going to wake up for an 8am class. Thanks for the info.